[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 4 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated

Etomidate drug distribution and manufacturing crackdown

Overview

Law enforcement agencies in Japan and Taiwan have conducted operations targeting the illicit distribution and manufacturing of etomidate, a synthetic drug colloquially known as ‘zombie tobacco.’

In Japan, Kyoto Prefectural Police arrested two men for importing the substance from Malaysia. This marked the first seizure of the drug by Kyoto authorities since it was added to Japan’s list of designated drugs. Simultaneously, Osaka police detained an individual suspected of using a concealed mobile application to distribute the drug nationwide.

In New Taipei City, Taiwan, police dismantled a manufacturing and packaging site for etomidate-based ‘zombie vape pods.’ During the raid, authorities seized etomidate liquid, vape pods, and packaging tools, as well as a homemade steel pipe gun.

Entities

Osaka Police · Etomidate · Takashi Tatsuhide · Kyoto Prefectural Police · Nishiyama Masahiko

Timeline

  1. 16 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    New Taipei City police dismantle ‘zombie vape pod’ manufacturing site

    Police in New Taipei City arrested a wanted man after discovering an etomidate ‘zombie vape pod’ manufacturing site and a homemade firearm at his residence.

  2. 20 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Kyoto and Osaka police arrest men for importing “zombie tobacco” (etomidate)

    Kyoto police arrested two men for importing the synthetic drug etomidate, dubbed “zombie tobacco,” from Malaysia, while Osaka police detained a 31‑year‑old for selling it via an app.

Sources

fnn-news.com · fnn.jp · nextapple.com.sg · saintmichaels.org.uk